AFL round 2, 2021: Geelong v Brisbane Lions betting tips, prediction & odds

Welcome to our Geelong v Brisbane Lions match preview, prediction and odds update for the AFL 2021 round two clash at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, on Friday, March 26.

This match was always marked as being one to watch but it has taken on enormous significance now after both these highly rated teams suffered shock losses in the first round.

Geelong, who have loaded up with veterans and added GWS superstar Jeremy Cameron in their quest for the flag they went so close to landing last year, were embarrassed by wooden spoon favourites Adelaide. The Cats were made to look slow and ageing.

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Brisbane are also deep in the conversation for potential title winners in 2021, having added injury prone gun forward Joe Daniher from Essendon. Yet they were simply carved up by the young, fast and aggressive Sydney Swans at the Gabba. The Swans were also widely tipped to finish outside the top eight this season.

Which all means this round-two match in Geelong is an early blockbuster, and the losers will also be all of a sudden in the middle of a mini crisis.

The good news for Geelong is that the Lions have not beaten them at GMHBA Stadium since 2003, and also that the Cats have won 20 of the past 23 matches between the teams.

In their two meetings last year, Geelong won by 27 points in round 6 at the SCG, then they poleaxed the Lions by 40 points in a preliminary final at the Gabba.

After both teams put in timid displays in the opening round you can expect plenty of fireworks early in this one, a scenario that probably works in the Cats’ favour.

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Cats v Lions team news for round 2

The Cats have lost superstar midfielder/forward Patrick Dangerfield for the next three matches after he was charged with rough conduct for a high hit on Adelaide player Jake Kelly, while Cameron remains sidelines for the next few weeks as the Cats are cautious with his hamstring problem.

Geelong have also dropped young defender Zach Guthrie and veteran forward  Josh Jenkins for this match and lost versatile Sam Menegola to a shoulder issue.

Into the team to face the Lions come Irishman Zach Tuohy, midfielder Charlie Constable, first gamer Francis Evans, and defender Jack Henry.

The Lions have made just one change from their disappointing first-up display, calling up small forward Tom Berry to replace Keidean Coleman.

Read on for our Cats-Lions tips and winner prediction for their AFL clash on Friday, March 26.

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Geelong v Brisbane

Kick-off: 7.50pm local time
Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Head to head odds: Geelong $1.63, Brisbane $2.30
Line betting: Geelong (-7.5 points) $1.90, Brisbane (+7.5 points) $1.90
Match total: 171.5 points:  over $1.90, under $1.90

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Geelong v Brisbane free betting tips

Below our AFL betting experts have highlighted free Cats-Lions betting tips for Friday’s game.

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Geelong v Brisbane prediction 26-3-2021

We expect this game to go down to the wire. Geelong were even less impressive than the Lions last week, but as Collingwood showed with their win over the Blues on Thursday night, teams can look like feather-dusters one week and Roosters the next. This should be an exciting, high-scoring contest. Many question marks remain over both teams and the absence of Dangerfield could expose the Cats even more for leg speed. The Lions never really got going in their match against the Swans but have to quickly move on or risk starting the season with a serious handicap of a two-plus losses. Our Cats-Lions prediction: Lions by five points.

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Geelong v Brisbane lowdown

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